Chapter 489

Emily Lowell's face turned ashen, her fingers digging into the armrest of the sofa.

"This is the Cunningham estate. Do you really think I won't have security throw you out?"

Nathan Lowell's gaze sliced through her like a blade.

"Karma always comes around, Emily. You'll get what you deserve."

"Why waste words on her?" Richard Lowell slammed his palm on the table.

"I'll ask you one last time—are you returning Dr. Quincy's research data or not?"

Emily let out a mocking laugh, her red lips curling.

"Not a chance."

Victoria Lowell finally snapped out of her daze and lunged forward, grabbing Emily's collar.

"You ungrateful wretch! The Lowells raised you for over twenty years, and this is how you repay us?"

"Get off me!" Emily shoved her hard, sending Victoria stumbling back onto the sofa.

She smoothed her collar with deliberate slowness, her eyes filled with disdain.

"If you truly saw me as family, you would've told the Cunninghams these assets were meant to be my dowry. What would it have cost you to let me marry in glory?"

The room went deathly silent.

"This isn't up for debate." Emily lifted her chin.

"Once I'm Mrs. Cunningham, I'll naturally pull the Lowells up with me. Compared to that useless Sophia, I'm being more than generous."

William Lowell felt bile rise in his throat. He stared at the sister he'd doted on since childhood, his voice icy.

"Emily, don't say we didn't warn you."

"Regret?" Emily burst into shrill laughter.

"Every socialite in the capital envies me for marrying into the Cunninghams!"

"You vile creature!" Richard hurled a vase at the wall, sending porcelain shards flying.

"Trash will always be trash. That butcher's blood runs thick in you!"

He demolished every decorative piece in the parlor before pointing a trembling finger at Emily.

"Rot in prison like your birth parents!"

Nathan steadied his father, his eyes sharp as daggers.

"Stealing corporate secrets and causing billions in losses? That's at least a decade behind bars."

The words hit Emily like a bucket of ice water.

"Have you all lost your minds?" Her voice shook.

"My marriage to the Cunninghams benefits the Lowells!"

The family responded with bitter laughter.

"Would the Cunninghams marry a felon?"

"By the time you're out, Ryan Cunningham will have moved on."

"Using the Lowells as your stepping stone? Dream on."

Emily staggered back, her nails drawing blood from her palms.

For the first time, she realized these people who'd once indulged her every whim were now dead set on destroying her.